A very fine Italian fruitwood inlaid walnut and burr walnut bureau cabinet, Venetian mid 18th Century

the upper section with an arched scrolled pediment carved with pierced rocaille and scrolls incorporating an engraved mirror above two mirrored cupboard doors opening to reveal a fitted interior with a central cupboard door enclosing a recess with a drawer above and below, with two further drawers, the door with the paper label Coll. Gatti Casazza, Venezia, above a pair of candle-slides, the inside of the cabinet doors mirrored, the lower section of bombé serpentine form with a shaped fall-front enclosing a cupboard door, two serpentine drawers and a slide enclosing a recess above three long drawers on bracket feet, the reverse with the paper label inscribed in ink Signor Azzio Centurini Piazza Indipendenza Villa Centurini Roma

Collection Ing. Giuseppe Gatti-Casazza, Venice

 

Giuseppe Mazzariol, Mobili Italiani del Seicento e del Settecento, Vallardi, Milan, 1964, illustrated pl.B., p. 90.
Giuseppe Morazzoni, Il Mobile Veneziano del'700, Milan, ed. Bestetti-Tumminelli, 1927, fig. CLXXXVI, illustrated in situ in the collection of Ing. Giuseppe Gatti-Casazza, Venice, where it is shown with its original candlearms. 

In overall good conserved condition. Minor restorations to the carving on the cresting. Very minor sections of carving missing to cresting but these are not too noticeable. Good patina. Old construction cracks which can either be left or filled which are quite normal with age and usage. Old restored cracks especially in the serpentine frieze on the lower section . Very minor patches to veneer which have been very well executed and are hardly noticeable. The gilt-bronze mounts are probably later. One of the chains on the right of the door is broken but can easily be fixed. The front is slightly more faded than the rest and would benefit from a repolish according to taste. In the lower section, the two short drawers inside the fall-front each enclose a secret drawer. The scroll above the left front drawer is missing, but this can easily be re-carved. There are iron bands on the back of the lower section to strengthen. An impressive piece.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A related bureau-cabinet was sold in these Rooms, 13th December 1996, lot 125 (£490,000).